Menopause
Combination Hormone Therapy (CHT) Poses Heart Disease Risk for Postmenopausal Women
New analyses from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) confirm that combination hormone therapy increases the risk of heart disease in healthy postmenopausal women. Researchers report a trend toward an increased risk of heart disease during the first two years of hormone therapy among women who began therapy within 10 years of menopause, and a... »
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Its Effects on Skin Appearance
For many women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate the physical symptoms associated with the change of life. But despite the initial hype generated by post-menopausal women who noticed a marked improvement in their skin’s appearance while on HRT, dermatologists argue that scientific studies of estrogen do not show definitive improvements for skin rejuvenation... »
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Improves Sleep, Sexuality and Joint Pain in Older Women
The British Medical Journal has just published the findings of new study by the WISDOM research team (Women's International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause) which finds that HRT therapy can achieve major improvements in quality of life. »
Concerns Voiced Over Long-Term Effects of Synthetic Progestins
In a study done at the University of Oregon, the widely used synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) decreased endothelial function in premenopausal women. The finding, researchers said, raises concerns about the long-term effects of MPA and possibly other synthetic hormones on vascular health in young women. »
Cardiologists Call for New Approach in Treating Chest Pain
In a joint statement by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), physicians are calling for a more aggressive approach to evaluating patients presenting with chest pain (unstable angina)—and quickly determining whether the therapeutic approach should be medical, invasive or a combination of two. Guidelines released today by the ACC... »
Menopause Pill Pristiq Fails to Get FDA Approval
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA), in its letter to Wyeth—the manufacturer of the menopause Pill Pristiq—has outlined the need to perform at least one more year of clinical tests on the drug before it is aproved. The FDA has called for more data on how Pristiq affects the heart and liver health of patients. Wyeth,... »
Smoking May Lead to Early Menopause
Research done by Norwegian scientists reveals that menopause, which usually occurs around the age of 50, may occur earlier in women who smoke on a regular basis. Menopause, which marks the end of menstruation cycle in women is usually accompanied by frequent mood swings, hot flashes, and sleep disorders. Regular smoking has been known to... »
Treatment Options for Menopause-related Hot Flashes
There are numerous treatment options for menopause-related hot flashes, from pharmaceutical drugs, to alternative therapies and exercise. Hormones might not be safe for everyone, and some supplements may not be safe or effective. Since supplements are not widely tested or regulated by the FDA, it is more difficult to determine their effectiveness. »
How the NIH Mis-Read 2002 Menopause Hormone Study
On July 9, 2002, federal government health officials announced that they had halted a major study of menopause hormones, saying the drugs increased a woman's risk of heart attack by 29%. But in the five years since, it's become clear that some aspects of what was initially reported from the $725 million Women's Health Initiative... »
Doctor Says New Hormonal Therapy for Menopause Considered “Unsafe”
Bio-identical hormones have been a new alternative to the United States for women in menopause. Although this form of hormonal treatment may be hope to many women, doctors say that it's misleading. Bio-identical hormones may pose greater health risks than conventional therapy. »